Karlee Duffey In Ghana: Learning, Adapting, and Growing

This week marks week two since landing in Ghana. In a way it feels like not much occurred. Truthfully, when analyzed deeper, more went on through growth and learning than originally seen. I have learned not only more about the wonderful people of Ghana and their culture, but more about myself as well.

Ghana is a place full of welcoming people. They thrive on hospitality and genuinely caring about those who come to visit them. They are very proud of their little country and will tell you, with enthusiasm, all about its history. While in Accra we learned that March 6th is their Independence Day. They have been a country for 69 years this year. To celebrate, much like the Americans, they have parades and dress in their traditional dress or countries colors. We witnessed some young girls practicing their dances for the parade. While in Damongo we have been told about the chiefs of the various tribes of people. Many of the people we have met so far have had a chief as a family member. The chiefs from my understanding own the land that everything is built on and the government must work together with them to build new things. We were told by Bishop Peter Paul that we would be meeting the chief of this region, who is one of his friends, while we are here. I am excited to meet him! I hope that they give us instructions on the proper greeting so that I do not offend him in any way.

Ghanaian culture is very vibrant. Family is very important and pretty much anyone and everyone is family. Patricia is a woman who has invited us into her home and been cooking for us everyday until we can move into our house. She and Father Peter say that they are brother and sister, yet there is no biological relation. This is not weird to me because my family calls people who are not technically biologically related aunt, uncle, brother or sister too. Ghanaians also love feeding you! Every time that Doris and I go to eat at Patricia’s house, Father Peter is always encouraging us to eat more, sometimes even by adding more scoops to our plates. I think they truly just enjoy taking care of people.

I have also learned that Ghanaians are not direct in their conversations. You must greet them with a hello and good morning, afternoon, or evening. Then you ask how their day was or their sleep. Then you ask after their family and make sure all their family is good. Then you proceed to what you want to talk about. It has been a big learning curve for me. I have learned that since I was raised with a very direct upbringing, I like to get straight to business. It has been a welcome growth point, learning how to slow down and take the time to check in with a person before getting to the discussion of why you came.

We have been relying on the generosity and hospitality of these extremely welcoming people which has shown me how hard it is for me sometimes to rely or be dependent on another. I know they do it all out of love and kindness for all visitors, but it's hard sometimes to not feel like a burden. We have spoken to Patricia about it and constantly thanked her for her wonderful and delicious food. She has assuaged my worries by explaining this is how their culture is and that she loves doing it for us. I think this is a big aspect of my personality that God is not only revealing but trying to help me grow in. I am seeing that I need to be more willing to allow people to take care of me and help me.

I am sure that I will continue to learn more of the intricacies of this different, yet beautiful culture as I continue through these next three years. I am grateful for all the revelations that God has given me and will continue to give me as I go.